National tea sales average up 6% MoM, down 18% YoY

• Total elevation average appreciates by Rs.69.76 in comparison with previous month 
• Cumulative variance widens to Rs.62.95 (US $ 0.25) against end-December 2022 
• All elevations record gains in both LKR and USD terms against November 2023 but negative variances against corresponding month of 2022 

The national tea sales average for December 2023 recorded Rs.1,186.41 (US $ 3.64), showing an increase of Rs.69.76 and US $ 0.22 against the previous month.  
However, in comparison to the December 2022 average of Rs.1,454.24 (US $ 4.00), it shows a decrease of Rs.267.83 and US $ 0.35 year-on-year (YoY). 
Looking at elevation-wise analysis, in December, the High Grown average recorded an increase of Rs.67.09 and US $ 0.21 month-on-month (MoM), whilst a decrease of Rs.287.81 and US $ 0.45 was recorded YoY. 
The Medium Grown average for the month recorded a gain of Rs.35.05 and US $ 0.12 MoM. In comparison to the corresponding month last year, this is a decrease of Rs.218.83 and 
US $ 0.27 YoY. 

The Low Grown average for the month recorded a positive variance of Rs.87.18 and US $ 0.28 MoM, whilst a decrease of Rs.256.19 and US $ 0.29 was recorded YoY.  Overall, all elevations witnessed a decline during the period January-December 2023 in comparison to the corresponding period of 2022, both in LKR and USD terms.